In a candid interview with People magazine, Joe Biden revealed that he was unaware of his cancer diagnosis during his presidency and would not have pursued a second term in 2024 had he known about his illness. The former Democratic president, who turns 84 on November 20, stated, "If I had known that I was feeling lousy because I had cancer, I would’ve not gone forward" with his reelection bid, which ultimately ended following a poor debate performance against Republican Donald Trump. Biden received a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer months after leaving office in 2025, a revelation that has since raised questions about his decision-making during his campaign.
Biden expressed his belief that an 80-year-old man with cancer should not be running for president, emphasizing that age should not be a disqualifying factor but rather a source of experience and deep relationships with international leaders. He remarked, "I believe that on an objective basis, I was the best-equipped person to do the job." Despite the challenges posed by his health, Biden maintained that he was capable of fulfilling his presidential duties, arguing that the June 2024 debate was not a defining moment, even as it intensified concerns among Democrats regarding his age and ability to defeat Trump.S1S2
Following the debate, Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, who went on to secure the Democratic nomination but ultimately lost to Trump in the general election. Biden's son, Hunter, shared in an August interview that the cancer had spread, causing significant pain and debilitation for his father. Hunter Biden has since taken on a more prominent public role, engaging with Republicans on social media and launching a cryptocurrency, while also facing scrutiny over his past business dealings.S1S2
In defending his son's public persona and the decision to pardon him after Hunter's 2024 federal gun conviction and guilty plea to tax charges, Joe Biden stated that the pardon was necessary due to Donald Trump's vindictive nature. He asserted, "If I hadn’t pardoned — not just some of my family members, anyone who’s dealt with me — he would go back and try to do harm to them." Biden characterized Hunter as "one of the brightest men I know" and expressed pride in his son's resilience amid ongoing Republican attacks.S1S2
